Revenge of the N*E*R*D

Virginia Beach natives Pharrell Williams (pictured) and Chad Hugo had so much success behind the boards working for artists such as Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake and Jadakiss, they decided to form their own group, N*E*R*D, a rock-funk outfit that also included their friend Sheldon "Shay" Haley. The trio made two albums that went largely unnoticed by urban radio, where Williams and Hugo first made a name for themselves as The Neptunes. Most of the audience at The National Saturday, March 22, will want to hear Williams' trademark falsetto, which was the centerpiece on many of their productions for other artists as well as his solo hit "Frontin'." The 9 p.m. show is a rare R&B-based offering for The National, whose concert listings resemble the archives of stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com. Tickets are $20. 612-1900 or visit www.thenationalva.com